USA > New York > History of the state of New York, political and governmental, Vol. VI > Part 33
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"Peace and National Defense .- The Progressive party deplores the survival in our civilization of the barbaric system of warfare among nations, with its enormous waste of resources even in time of peace, and the consequent impoverishment of the life of the toiling masses. We pledge the party to use its best endeavors to substitute judicial and other peaceful means of settling international differences.
"We favor an international agreement for the limitation of naval forces. Pending such an agreement, and as the best means of pre- serving peace, we pledge ourselves to maintain for the present the policy of building two battleships a year.
"Treaty Rights .- We pledge our party to protect the rights of American citizenship at home and abroad. No treaty should receive the sanction of our government which discriminates between Ameri- can citizens because of birthplace, race, or religion, or that does not recognize the absolute right of expatriation.
"Immigration .- Through the establishment of industrial standards we propose to secure to the able-bodied immigrant and to his native fellow-workers a larger share of American opportunity.
"We denounce the fatal policy of indifference and neglect which has left our enormous immigrant population to become the prey of chance and cupidity. We favor governmental action to encourage the distribution of immigrants away from the congested cities, to rigidly
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supervise all private agencies dealing with them, and to promote their assimilation, education, and advancement.
"Pensions .- We pledge ourselves to a wise and just policy of pensioning American soldiers and sailors and their widows and chil- dren by the Federal government.
"And we approve the policy of the southern States in granting pensions to the ex-Confederate soldiers and sailors and their widows and children.
"Parcels Post .- We pledge our party to the immediate creation of a parcels post, with rates proportionate to distance and service.
"The Civil Service Law .- We condemn the violations of the Civil Service law under the present administration, including the coercion and assessment of subordinate employes, and the President's refusal to punish such violations after a finding of guilty by his own commission; his distribution of patronage among subservient Congressmen, while withholding it from those who refuse support of administration measures; his withdrawal of nominations from the Senate until political support for himself was secured, and his open use of the offices to reward those who voted for his renomination.
"To eradicate these abuses we demand not only the enforcement of the Civil Service act in letter and spirit, but also legislation which will bring under the competitive system postmasters, collectors, marshals, and all other non-political officers, as well as the enactment of an equitable retirement law, and we also insist on continuous service during good behavior and efficiency.
"Government Business Organization .- We pledge our party to readjustment of the business methods of the national government and a proper coordination of the Federal bureaus which will increase the economy and efficiency of the government service, prevent dupli- cations, and secure better results to the taxpayers for every dollar expended.
"Supervision Over Investments .- The people of the United States are swindled out of many millions of dollars every year through worth- less investments. The plain people, the wage-earners, and the men and women with small savings have no way of knowing the merit of concerns sending out highly colored prospectuses offering stock for
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sale, prospectuses that make big returns seem certain and fortunes . easily within grasp.
"We hold it to be the duty of the government to protect its people from this kind of piracy. We therefore demand wise, care- fully thought-out legislation that will give us such government super- vision over this matter as will furnish to the people of the United States this much needed protection, and we pledge ourselves thereto.
"Conclusion .- On these principles and on the recognized desira- bility of uniting the progressive forces of the nation into an organiza- tion which shall unequivocally represent the Progressive spirit and policy, we appeal for the support of all American citizens, without regard to previous political affiliations."
Other Parties
Prohibition Party .- Convention held in Atlantic City, July 10-11, 1912. For President, Eugene W. Chafin, of Arizona; for Vice-President, Aaron S. Wat- kins, of Ohio.
People's Party (Populists) .- Beginning its national career in 1892, the Populist organization at once be- came a powerful factor and so continued for a number of years. Its decline was due to its fusions and the wide acceptance of progressive political ideas, espe- cially on the part of the Democracy in the western and southern States. In 1912 the People's party held a national convention at St. Louis, August 13, but made no nominations. It has not since appeared in national politics.
Socialist Party .- Convention held in Indianapolis, May 12-17, 1912. For President, Eugene V. Debs, of Indiana; for Vice-President, Emil Seidel, of Wiscon- sin.
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Socialist Labor Party .- For President, Arthur E. Reimer, of Massachusetts ; for Vice-President, August Gillhaus, of New York.
The Election
Electoral vote for President and Vice-President:
Woodrow Wilson and Thomas R. Marshall, Democrats :- Alabama, 12; Arizona, 3; Arkansas, 9; California, 2; Colorado, 6; Connecticut, 7; Delaware, 3; Florida, 6; Georgia, 14; Idaho, 4; Illinois, 29; Indiana, 15; Iowa, 13; Kansas, 10; Kentucky, 13; Louisiana, 10; Maine, 6; Maryland, 8; Massachusetts, 18; Missis- sippi, 10; Missouri, 18; Montana, 4; Nebraska, 8; Nevada, 3; New Hampshire, 4; New Jersey, 14; New Mexico, 3; New York, 45; North Carolina, 12; North Dakota, 5; Ohio, 24; Oklahoma, 10; Oregon, 5; Rhode Island, 5; South Carolina, 9; Tennessee, 12; Texas, 20; Virginia, 12; West Virginia, 8; Wisconsin, 13; Wyo- ming, 3. Total, 435. Elected.
Theodore Roosevelt and Hiram W. Johnson, Progressives :- Cali- fornia, 11; Michigan, 15; Minnesota, 12; Pennsylvania, 38; South Dakota, 5; Washington, 7. Total, 88.
William H. Taft and Nicholas Murray Butler,1 Republicans :- Utah, 4; Vermont, 4. Total, 8.
Popular vote :
Wilson, 6,286,214; Roosevelt, 4,126,020; Taft, 3,483,922; Debs, 897,011; Chafin, 208,923; Reimer, 29,079.
1James S. Sherman, the Republican nominee for Vice-President, died on October 30, 1912, and Nicholas Murray Butler, of New York, received the Vice-Presidential votes of the Republican Electors.
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Democratic Party
Convention held in St. Louis, June 14-16, 1916. Temporary chairman, Martin H. Glynn, of New York; permanent chairman, Ollie M. James, of Kentucky.
President Wilson and Vice-President Marshall were renominated, both by acclamation.
Platform :
"The Democratic party, in national convention assembled, adopts the following declaration to the end that the people of the United States may both realize the achievements wrought by four years of Democratic administration and be appraised of the policies to which the party is committed for the further conduct of national affairs.
"1. Record of Achievement .- We endorse the administration of Woodrow Wilson. It speaks for itself. It is the best exposi- tion of sound Democratic policy at home and abroad.
"We challenge comparison of our record, our keeping of pledges, and our constructive legislation with those of any party of any time.
"We found our country hampered by special privilege, a vicious tariff, obsolete banking laws, and an inelastic currency. Our foreign affairs were dominated by commercial interests for their selfish ends. The Republican party, despite repeated pledges, was impotent to correct abuses which it had fostered. Under our administration, under a leadership which has never faltered, these abuses have been corrected and our people have been freed therefrom.
"Our archaic banking and currency system, prolific of panic and disaster under Republican administration-long the refuge of the money trust,-has been supplanted by the Federal Reserve act, a
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true democracy of credit under government control already proved a financial bulwark in a world crisis, mobilizing our resources, plac- ing abundant credit at the disposal of legitimate industry, and mak- ing a currency panic impossible.
"We have created a Federal Trade commission to accommodate the perplexing questions arising under the Anti-Trust laws so that monopoly may be strangled at its birth and legitimate industry en- couraged. Fair competition in business is now assured.
"We have effected an adjustment of the tariff, adequate for reve- nue under peace conditions and fair to the consumer and to the producer. We have adjusted the burdens of taxation so that swol- len incomes bear their equitable share. Our revenues have been sufficient in times of world stress, and will largely exceed the expendi- tures for the current fiscal year.
"We have lifted human labor from the category of commodities and have secured to the workingman the right of voluntary associa- tion for his protection and welfare. We have protected the rights of the laborer against the unwarranted issuance of writs of injunc- tion, and have guaranteed to him the right of trial by jury in cases of alleged contempt committed outside the presence of the court.
"We have advanced the parcel post to genuine efficiency, enlarged the postal savings system, added ten thousand rural delivery routes and extensions, thus reaching two and one-half millions additional people, improved the postal service in every branch, and for the first time in our history placed the post office system on a self-supporting basis, with actual surplus in 1913, 1914, and 1916. ,
"2. Economic Freedom .- The reforms which were most obvi- ously needed to clear away special privilege, prevent unfair dis- crimination, and release the energies of men of all ranks and ad- vantages, have been effected by recent legislation. We must now remove, as far as possible, every remaining element of unrest and uncertainty from the path of the business men of America, and secure for them a continued period of quiet, assured, and confident prosperity.
"3. Tariff .- We reaffirm our belief in the doctrine of a tariff for the purpose of providing sufficient revenue for the operation of
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the government economically administered, and unreservedly endorse the Underwood Tariff law as truly exemplifying that doctrine. We recognize that tariff rates are necessarily subject to change to meet changing conditions in the world's protection and trade. The events of the last two years have brought about many momentous changes. In some respects their effects are yet conjectural and wait to be disclosed, particularly in regard to our foreign trade. Two years of a war which has directly involved most of the chief industrial nations of the world and which has indirectly affected the life and industry of all nations are bringing about economic changes more varied and far-reaching than the world has ever before experienced. In order to ascertain just what those changes may be, the Democrat- ic Congress is providing for a non-partisan Tariff commission to make impartial and thorough study of every economic fact that may throw light either upon our past or upon our future fiscal policy with regard to the imposition of taxes on imports or with regard to the changed and changing conditions under which our trade is carried on. We cordially endorse this timely proposal and declare ourselves in sympathy with the principle and purpose of shaping legislation within that field in accordance with clearly established facts rather than in accordance with the demands of selfish interests or upon information provided largely, if not exclusively, by them.
"4. Americanism .- The part which the United States will play in the new day of international relationship that is now upon us will depend upon our preparation and our character. The Demo- cratic party, therefore, recognizies the assertion and itriumphant demonstration of the indivisibility and coherent strength of the nation as the supreme issue of this day in which the whole world faces the crisis of manifold change. It summons all men of what- ever origin or creed who would count themselves Americans, to join in making clear to all the world the unity and consequent power of America. This is an issue of patriotism. To taint it with partisan- ship would be to defile it. In this day of test, America must show itself not a nation of partisans but a nation of patriots. There is gathered here in America the best of the blood, the industry, and the genius of the world, the elements of a great race and a magnifi-
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cent society to be welded into a mighty and splendid nation. Who- ever, actuated by the purpose to promote the interest of a foreign power in disregard of our own country's welfare or to injure this gov- ernment in its foreign relations or cripple or destroy its industries at home, and whoever by arousing prejudices of a racial, religious, or other nature creates discord and strife among our people so as to obstruct the wholesome process of unification, is faithless to the trust which the privileges of citizenship repose in him and is disloyal to his country. We therefore condemn as subversive of this nation's unity and integrity, and as destructive of its welfare, the activities and designs of every group or organization, political or otherwise, that has for its object the advancement of the interest of a foreign power, whether such object is promoted by intimidating the gov- ernment, a political party, or representatives of the people, or which is calculated and tends to divide our people into antagonistic groups and thus to destroy that complete agreement and solidarity of the people and that unity of sentiment and purpose so essential to the perpetuity of the nation and its free institutions. We condemn all alliances and combinations of individuals in this country, of what- ever nationality or descent, who agree and conspire together for the purpose of embarrassing or weakening our government or of improp- erly influencing or coercing our public representatives in dealing or negotiating with any foreign power. We charge that such con- spiracies among a limited number exist, and have been instigated for the purpose of advancing the interests of foreign countries to the prejudice and detriment of our own country. We condemn any political party which, in view of the activity of such conspirators, surrenders its integrity or modifies its policy.
"5. Preparedness .- Along with the proof of our character as a nation must go the proof of our power to play the part that legiti- mately belongs to us. The people of the United States love peace. They respect the rights and covet the friendship of all other nations. They desire neither any additional territory nor any advan- tage which cannot be peacefully gained by their skill, their industry, or their enterprise; but they insist upon having absolute freedom of national life and policy, and feel that they owe it to themselves
WOODROW WILSON
Woodrow Wilson, 28th president; born at Staunton, Va., December 28, 1856; teacher; president of Princeton university; governor of New Jersey, January 17, 1911 to March 1, 1913 ; elected president of United States, 1912; reelected, 1916.
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and to the role of spirited independence which it is their sole ambi- tion to play that they should render themselves secure against the hazard of interference from any quarter, and should be able to protect their rights upon the seas or in any part of the world. We therefore favor the maintenance of an army fully adequate to the requirements of order, of safety, and of the protection of the nation's rights ; the fullest development of modern methods of seacoast defense, and the maintenance of an adequate reserve of citizens trained to arms and prepared to safeguard the people and territory of the United States against any danger of hostile action which may unex- pectedly arise; and a fixed policy for the continuous development of a navy, worthy to support the great naval traditions of the United States and fully equal to the international tasks which this nation hopes and expects to take a part in performing. The plans and enactments of the present Congress afford substantial proof of our purpose in this exigent matter.
"6. International Relations .- The Democratic administration has throughout the present war scrupulously and successfully held to the old paths of neutrality and to the peaceful pursuit of the legiti- mate objects of our national life which statesmen of all parties and creeds have prescribed for themselves in America since the beginning of our history. But the circumstances of the last two years have revealed necessities of international action which no former genera- tion can have foreseen. We hold that it is the duty of the United States to use its power not only to make itself safe at home, but also to make secure its just interests throughout the world, and, both for this end and in the interest of humanity, to assist the world in securing settled peace and justice. We believe that every people has the right to choose the sovereignty under which it shall live; that the small states of the world have a right to enjoy from other nations the same respect for their sovereignty and for their territorial integ- rity that great and powerful nations expect and insist upon; and that the world has a right to be free from every disturbance of its peace that has its origin in aggression or disregard of the rights of peoples and nations; and we believe that the time has come when it is the duty of the United States to join with the other nations
.
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of the world in any feasible association that will effectively serve those principles, to maintain inviolate the complete security of the highway of the seas for the common and unhindered use of all nations.
"The present administration has consistently sought to act upon and realize in its conduct of the foreign affairs of the nation the principle that should be the object of any association of the nations formed to secure the peace of the world and the maintenance of national and individual rights. It has followed the highest American traditions. It has preferred respect for the fundamental rights of smaller states even to property interests, and has secured the friendship of the people of such states for the United States by refusing to make a mere material interest an excuse for the assertion of our superior power against the dignity of their sovereign independence. It has re- garded the lives of its citizens and the claims of humanity as of greater moment than material rights, and peace as the best basis for the just settlement of commercial claims. It has made the honor and ideals of the United States its standard alike in negotiation and action.
7. Pan-American Concord .- We recognize now, as we have al- ways recognized, a definite and common interest between the United States and the other peoples and republics of the western hemisphere in all matters of national independence and free political development. We favor the establishment and maintenance of the closest relations of amity and mutual helpfulness between the United States and the other republics of the American continents for the support of peace and the promotion of a common prosperity. To that end we favor all measures which may be necessary to facilitate intimate intercourse and promote commerce between the United States and our neighbors to the south, and such international understandings as may be prac- ticable and suitable to accomplish these ends.
"We commend the action of the Democratic administration in holding the Pan-American Financial conference at Washington in May, 1915, and organizing the International High commission which represented the United States in the recent meeting of representatives of the Latin-American republics at Buenos Aires, April, 1916, which
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have so greatly promoted the friendly relations between the people of the western hemisphere.
"8. Mexico .- The Monroe doctrine is reasserted as a principle of Democratic faith. That doctrine guarantees the independent repub- lics of the two Americas against aggression from another continent. It implies, as well, the most scrupulous regard upon our part for the sovereignty of each of them. We court their good will. We seek not to despoil them. The want of a stable, responsible government in Mexico, capable of repressing and punishing marauders and bandit bands, who have not only taken the lives and seized and destroyed the property of American citizens in that country, but have insolently invaded our soil, made war upon and murdered our people thereon, has rendered it necessary temporarily to occupy, by our armed forces, a portion of the territory of that friendly state. Until, by the restoration of law and order therein, a repetition of such incursions is improbable, the necessity for their remaining will continue. Intervention, implying as it does military subjugation, is revolting to the people of the United States, notwithstanding the provocation to that course has been great, and should be resorted to, if at all, only as a last recourse. The stubborn resistance of the President and his advisers to every demand and suggestion to enter upon it, is creditable alike to them and to the people in whose name he speaks.
"9. Merchant Marine .- Immediate provision should be made for the development of the carrying trade of the United States. Our foreign commerce has in the past been subject to many unnecessary and vexatious obstacles in the way of legislation of Republican Con- gresses. Until the recent Democratic tariff legislation, it was ham- pered by unreasonable burdens of taxation. Until the recent banking legislation, it had at its disposal few of the necessary instrumentalities of international credit and exchange. Until the formulation of the pending act to promote the construction of a merchant marine, it lacked even the prospect of adequate carriage by sea. We heartily endorse the purposes and policy of the pending Shipping bill and favor all such additional measures of constructive or remedial legislation as may be necessary to restore our flag to the seas and to provide further facilities for our foreign commerce, particularly such laws as may be
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requisite to remove unfair conditions of competition in the dealings of American merchants and producers with competitors in foreign markets.
"10. Conservation .- For the safeguarding and quickening of the life of our own people we favor the conservation and development of the natural resources of the country through a policy which shall be positive rather than negative, a policy which shall not withhold such resources from development but which, while permitting and encour- aging their use, shall prevent both waste and monopoly in their exploitation, and we earnestly favor the passage of acts which will accomplish these objects, reaffirming the declaration of the platform of 1912 on this subject.
"The policy of reclaiming our arid lands should be steadily adhered to.
"11. The Administration and the Farmer .- We favor the vigor- ous prosecution of investigations and plans to render agriculture more profitable and country life more healthful, comfortable, and attract- ive, and we believe that this should be a dominant aim of the nation as well as of the States. With all its recent improvement, farming still lags behind other occupations in development as a business, and the advantages of an advancing civilization have not accrued to rural communities in a fair proportion. Much has been accomplished in this field under the present administration,-far more than under any previous administration. In the Federal Reserve act of the last Congress and the Rural Credits act of the present Congress, the machinery has been created which will make credit available to the farmer constantly and readily, placing him at last upon a footing of equality with the merchant and the manufacturer in securing the capital necessary to carry on his enterprises. Grades and standards necessary to the intelligent and successful conduct of the business of agriculture have also been established or are in the course of being established by law. The long-needed Cotton Futures act, passed by the Sixty-third Congress, has now been in successful operation for nearly two years. A Grain Grades bill, long needed, and a Permis- sive Warehouse bill, intended to provide better storage facilities and to enable the farmer to obtain certificates upon which he may
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